Phonograph record changer



June 27, 1944. A. w. LELINE PHONOGRAPH RECORD CHANGER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1941 INVENTOR. ARNOLD W LEL/NE ATTOf/VEYJ June 1944- A. w. LELINE 2,352,331

PHONOGRAPH RECORD CHANGER File d Jan. 21, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ell FIG-'11 INVENTOR. A E/VOL 0 W- LEL/NE TTOE/VEYJ.

June 27, 1944. A. W.'LELINE PHONOGRAPH RECORD CHANGER Filed Jan. 21, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 B s 3 mm w w o Lw a I i m m [1/ 7 56 i .k 1: m 1: m1 m 4m 0 FIG-'12 INVENT OR. ARNOLD I/V-LEZ //VE BY @fiOE/VE K5 Patented June 27, 1944 PHONOGRAPH RECORD CHANGER Arnold W. Leline, Chicago, 111., assignor to Advance Engineering Company, partnership comprising K. D.

Chicago, 111., at Turner, John Huarisa, L. C. Parks, and J. H. Clippinger Application January 21, 1941, Serial No. 375,179

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in, record changers, and more particularly to a type of record changer wherein the records of a group are played on one side only, being stacked above the turntable and dropped down onto the turntable one at a time.

Although record changers of the type stated are well known, there have been many disadvantages incorporated in these devices which it is the purpose of the present invention to overcome. Generally, these prior changers have included the type where the record is supported at two or more opposite points adjacent the periphery and the bottom record released by providing blades which slide between the records.

- These changers are commonly known as the which may be enumerated: the mutilation of edges of the records by the changing mechanism; the inconvenience of removing played records mechanism 'for operating the changer mechanism. The other well known type comprises those where the record is supported on one edge by a platform and by a post or spindle through the center hole in the record. These machines a record changer that is simple and easy to load with unplayed records and unload the stack of played records. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism where, when an undesired record is being played, it may be rejected at any time to cause the next record to be played.

Another object of my invention is to provide a record changing mechanism wherein the time consumed in the record changing cycle is greatly reduced.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple rugged record changerand playing mechanism wherein the speed of the turntable is not from the turntable; and the more complicated have also been relatively complicated and in operation often cause the records to be mutilated at the center, thus making them ineflective record changers has been that of speed variation of the turntable due to increased friction when the number of played records, and hence the weight on the turntable, has increased. Previously, plain bearings were used because the irregularities of the balls in ball bearings and the raceways caused vibrations from the bearings to be transmitted to the turntable which in turn was picked up and carried into the amplifier the same as any other vibrations.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an improved record changer which does not excessively wear, break or mutilate the records.

Another object of my invention is to provide affected by the presence of more than one record and wherein bearing noises in the turntable bearings are dampened.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple, rugged record changer mechanism which is not easily thrown out of adjustment and which is compact, having but a few working parts.

Still anotherobject of my inventionis to provide a record changer which may be quickly, easily and simply adjusted to play records of diflerent size. Other objects of the invention including those of economies of manufacture and construction, and the invention itself, will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which description is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, and forms a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the record changer of .the invention, some 'of the parts being broken away to show more? clearly other parts below and certain otherwise hidden parts being indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2-2of Fig. 1. certain parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken below the main table or frame of the changer and showing in plan view the main cam and linkages for effecting the record changing cycle, the position Fig. is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 at another time during the record changing cycle, and with other parts omitted for the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the cam and the starting dog and associated parts,

showing the position taken by them after the dog is tripped; A

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the main cam and cam starting dog showing their relative position near the end of the record changing cycle;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical medial section through the record and turntable spindle and associated parts;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the unplayed record supporting spindle;

Fig. 9a. is a detail view of a cam indexing p Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail plan showing the pickup arm track switch, an alternate position of the cam being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 11 is a section taken up on the line lll I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a vertical medial section through the record changing support;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line ll--l3 of Fig. 12; V

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 14-44 of Fig. 13;

Figs. 15 and 16 are plan and elevational views respectively of the record changing slide; and

Fig. 17 is a vertical medial section through the pickup arm supporting post showing the arm raising and swinging members.

In the drawings, like parts have been designated by like reference characters.

Briefly, the invention includes a turntable. for turning the records to be played, a rotatably supported cam member is provided for operating the mechanism which effects the record changing operations. This cam member has a mutilated gear on its periphery which meshes with a gear on the spindle for approximately one revolution of the cam member. During the one revolution of the cam member one cam surface on the member raises the pickup arm from the record; another swings the pickup arm away from and into position over the record. While the pickup arm is swung to one side of the record turntable, a pin on said cam engages a linkage connected to the record changing mechanism,

and a record is slid from under the bottom of the stack and dropped onto the turntable.

Means is provided in the form of a linkage controlled by the size of the records being played to definitely determine the return position of the pickup arm so that it is properly positioned for playing either 10" or 12" records.

More specifically, the apparatus comprises a generally rectangular or square frame I formed of pressed metal and having a downwardly extending peripheral flange 2. The entire mechanism is supported by this frame and the frame itself may in turn be placed in any suitable cabinet or console.

A turntable 3 is provided and is seated on a hollow spindle 4 which is in turn rotatably Journalled in bearings carried by a sub-frame 8. The sub-frame 6 comprises a generally square frame secured by screws at its upper end to the frame I. The frame is provided with aligned bearings I in the upper and lower extremity (see Fig. 8) for holding the spindle 4 rotatably and against lateral movement. A thrust bearing i is provided and rests on top of the frame 8 surrounding the spindle 4. The turntable has a hub 8 which is telescoped over the end of the spindle 4, and which hub rests on the thrust bearing 5. A cork or other resilient washer I is interposed between the end of the hub and bearing 5 for absorbing vibrations of the bearing 8. In the lower end of the sub-frame there is provided a semi-circular hole I! which is coaxial with the opening through the spindle; this hole is for receiving the semi-cylindrical end ll of I the record spindle I1 and holding the same against rotation. The turntable is secured in place by a conical hex nut I. which is threaded on the threaded portion of the spindle. The bearings I prevent lateral movement of the spindle while the bearing I carries the downward thrust.

The record holding spindle, as best shown in Fig. 9, comprises a straight cylindrical body portion I! adapted to be slidably disposed in the bore of the turntable spindle 4. The record holding spindle remains stationary while the spindle 4 revolves; this is effected by engagement of the end l8 of the spindle in the complementary hole l5, which hole is in the plate secured to the bottom of the frame 6. The body of the record spindle is provided with a shoulder ll adapted to rest on the end 20 of the turntable spindle 4.

The record spindle II has a record guiding portion which extends upward above the tumtable spindle 4, a distance which is determined by the thickness of a stack of records to be played, additional room being allowed for the reciprocation of the pickup arm, and gradually diminishes in diameter in a zone 2|, which zone terminates in a record supporting head or a shoulder 22 which is of a diameter slightly smaller than the center hole in a record. The spindle l'l terminates in a generally cylindrical extension 23 which extends in prolongation of the spindle body but is offset therefrom. The body is connected to the head 22 by a neck 24 which is of a length equal in thickness to the thickest commercial 1 or 12" record. The side 24a of the neck 24 lies in the same plane withthe periphery of the head 22 while the side 24b is a semi-cylindrical surface in prolongation of the body 23, which body is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of a record center hole and of sufficient length to hold the desired stack of records. The end 25 may be tapered or rounded to permit the records to be easily slipped over the spindle.

In operation the centers of the stack of records are engaged at the periphery of the center hole by the body 23 while the lower-most record rests on the head 22. but may be slipped laterally to the right as best seen from Fig. 2 over against the neck 24a, after which it may fall over the head 22 and slide down the shaft or body II. The zone 2| of reduced diameter prevents the record from becoming wedged on the spindle due to tilting.

The turntable may be driven in any suitable manner such as by a geared or direct drive connection to the spindle 4. I have found, however, that one preferable form, both fromthe standpoint of smoothness of drive and economy, is provided by a motor 30 (Fig. 1) which has a drive wheel 3| in frictional contact with a'rubber rimmed wheel 32 which is in turn in frictional driving contact with the inside of the downtable 3;

Driving of the record changingimechanism is accomplished by a spur gear 35 secured to or v integral with thespindle 4.- This gear is adapt-.- ed to mesh with a scar 33 on a main cam member 31. The cam member 31 isrotatably supported on an axle 38 (Fig. 2) connectedbetween the framel and an arm a on the lower subframe 6. Besides carrying thecams and parts for controlling the various movements in preperly tuned relation, the cam has the gear teeth 35 disposed around most of itsperiphery. This gear is a mutilated gear; that is the teeth extend all around the cam except for one portion 33' where five or six of the teeth are omitted, there being sufllcient teeth omitted so that when this part of the cam member is adjacent the gear 35, the gear 35 may rotate without moving the cam.

' The position where the two gears are not of mesh is hereinafter referred to as the record playing position. i

Means is provided for causin'g'the cam member to be rotated to cause the teeth 36 of the cam gear to come-in mesh'withthose of the spur gear 35, and the gear 35 to thus turn the cam substantially one complete'revolution, during which the record changing cycle is accomplished. This means comprises a clutch which is released either manually or by the pickup arm and which engages with splines on the turntable spindle to start movement of the cam, and which is then later re-set before the completion of the revolution so that when the cam member comes again to the record playingposition where the mutilated portion is'adjacent the spur gear, the turntable may revolve without movement of the cam.

More specifically, the clutch includes a dog 40, Figs. 6 and '7, comprising a generally fiat elongated member having a spline engaging point 4| and which member is pivotally secured to the under side of the cam at 42. A spring 43, Fig. 7, engages a pin 41 on the dog and normally urges it outward toward the periphery of the cam so that when released, the point 4| extends out into the mutilated space 39, Fig. 6, where there are no teeth 36 on the cam member. In this po- 7 sition the dog is in position to be struck by one of the splines 44 on the hub of the turntable spindle. These splines are disposed immediately below the spur gear 35 and are somewhat longer than the teeth. of thegear.and four in number. This could well be accomplished with one such spline, but having four such splines causes the changing mechanism to start into operation in less than one-quarter revolution 'of the turntable, thus shortening the cycle for changing the record. Oneof the splines 44 on the rotating spindle hits the end 4| of the dog 40, Fig. 6, which movement is transmitted to the cam and causes the cam'to be pushed around until the teeth of the spur gear 35 meshes with the teeth 36 on the cam. E

The dog isnormally held out of spline engaging position by a latch 46 which is pivotally suption 5| in which is 52 adapted to be contacted by a cam follower arm I 53. rigidly connected to the pickup arm 54, as

adiustably disposed a screw best illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. It maybe desirable for convenience in adjustment, to. have the screw 52 threaded through the arm 53. In this instance the screw would contact the abutment 51.. P i

. The pickup arm 54 may be a conventional type having a pickup in which is secured a record groove-engaging stylus and the usual electrical connections and apparatus for converting the vibrations into audible frequencies. A support for the arm is provided and constitutes a hollow post 55 (Fig. 17) disposed in an uprlghtposition.

on the frame I, being provided with a flange 53 for engagement with the upper side of the frame I, and a threaded extension 51 extending through the frame to the underside where it is secured by a nut 58. A cylindrical sleeve 50 extends through the post and has secured to its upper end at 53 a coupling 6|. The coupling 5| rests on top of the post 55 and has a pair of upstanding parallel portions 52 through which a hinge pin 53 extends for hingedly securing the pickup arm 54 to the coupling. The other end of the sleeve 53 extends below the bottom of the post 55 and has clamped on its end the cam follower arm 53. It will thus be seen that the pickup arm and cam follower arm which may be in alignment with each other, are free to move arcuately above and below the frame or table 1 except when purposely held as hereinafter described. The end of the cam follower arm53 is formed with a cam follower pin for engagement with a cam as hereinafter more fully described.

A shaft 65 extends through the sleeve 65 protruding beyond the upper and lower confines of the sleeve 60. The upper end of the shaft is adapted for engagement with an adjustable abutment 51 carried on the underside of the pickup arm, and the lower end of the shaft has a rounded head 58 which is adapted to ride on a cam surface 11. The cam surface for sliding the shaft 66 in the sleeve 50 is concentric with the axis of the cam member and of varying height, since the shaft 56 in the sleeve 50 rides on the cam, it is raised and lowered. according to the elevation of the cam, which movement causes the pickup to also be raised and lowered in properly timed relation, to the other movements of mally held out of the path of the splines 44.

That is, when the cam member 31 is at rest, which position is best shown in Fig. 3, the pin 41 on the dog is engaged in the notch 49 of the ported on the upper cam member. The pin 41 on the dog extends upward through a window .48 in the cammember, and is engaged by the notched end 45 oi the latch 45.

The latch member is of angular formation, as

best shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive, being plv- I otally supported at 50 with the notched end 49 disposedover the window 43. The outerend of :latch 45. The pickup arm with the stylus following the sound groove isdrawn 'bythe groove gradually toward the-center'of the record until near theend of the playing groove it enters the steeply pitched portion'of the groove near the center of the record. This causes the 'arm 53 tomove quickly toward the center or the-turntable and strike thescrew 52 which rotates the latch around its'pivot 53 counter -clockwise, as'

viewed in Fig. 3, and releases the pin 41 on the dog from the notch 49. The spring ll bearing against the pin swings the dog outwardly into the path of the splines M, which splines engage the end of the dog which has taken the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The pin 41 rests against the side of the window it and pressure from the spline 44 is transmitted through the dog to the cam, causing the cam to be moved until the teeth 36 on the cam mesh with the teeth of the spur gear 35 and driving relation between the cam and the spindle is accomplished.

A spring having one end connected to the latch and the other end to a pin on the cam, urges the lever 46 in a clockwise direction around its pivot I, so that the face 48' on the latch (Fig. 4) engages the pin 41, along which face the pin is adapted to slide when the dog is reset until when it is moved and re-engaged in the notch 4!. The dog remains in the uniatched position for nearly one complete revolution. As the mutilated portion of the cam gear approaches the spur gear near the end of the cycle, the dog ll (see Fig. '7) strikes against a reset abutment II, which abutment being in the path and travel of the dog, causes it to move back into locking engagement with the latch. At this point the camhas completed its cycle and has rotated to a position where the gear teeth no longer mesh and the cam then comes to rest in the record playing position.

When the pickup arm reaches the end of the record groove and the cam is started in motion, as just described, the first movement in the cycle is the raising of the pickup arm. This is then followed by swinging the pickup arm to one side of the table, after which the new record is released onto the table and then the pickup arm is swung back to the table in alignment with the start of the record groove; then it is gently lowered into the groove.

The raising of the tone arm at the start of the changing cycle is accomplished by movement of the cam surface 11 which extends around the cam member adjacent the gear teeth, the cam surface being concentric with the axis of the cam member relative to the end or head ll of the shaft 66 which rides thereon. During the playing period the end 66 of the head is disposed on a low spot or zone on the cam, indicated at 15 (Fig. 3a); this being the point where the pickup arm is out of contact with the upper end of the shaft 66 and the stylus resting in the record groove. From the point 15 the cam surface inclines upward, as indicated at Ii, to the upper and highest surface ll, which surface is of even height around the cam until it again slopes downward at I6 to the low zone 15. It will thus be seen that when the cam is revolved, the head 68, which at the start is in the low zone I5, rides up the inclined surface I6, causing the shaft 66 to move upward. The shaft engages the tone arm abutment 61 and raises the tone arm up 011 of the record.

At the start of the record changing movement, if a record has just been played, the pickup arm is at or near the center of the turntable and the cam follower arm 53 has also moved across the unobstructed surface 82 of the cam to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. It should be borne in mind that the cam follower arm 53 moves only in a horizontal plane. The cam plate is also provided with cam tracks to control the swinging movement of the pickup arm, the pick.- up arm bein ided into its various positions by contactof the pin 5 on the arm 53 with the up- 76 assassr standing ridges or ribs on the cam which form the boundaries of the tracks.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the walls or ribs I. and Ii of the track diverge widely to provide a larger area or zone I! in which the arm 53 and pin ll may swing freely when the cam member is a rest. Thus the pickup arm may also swing freely while the record is being played, the only limitation being the inner and outer limits of the ribs II and ii. The outer wall ll may conveniently be the inner edge of the tone arm raising cam surface 11.

The cam element having started to rotate at the end of the playing of a record, as previously described, the inner rib lil, which slants toward the outer rib II at "a, strikes the pin '5 and rotates cam follower arm 53 and the pickup arm, which has just been lifted, outward beyond the edge of the turntable. The cam follower arm II and pin 5 ride along the surface Ila until it enters into the narrow track lllb adjacent the edge of the cam. While in this groove lateral movement of the arm is prevented. While thus engaged the pickup arm is disposed beyond the edge of the turntable and cannot accidentally be swung over the turntable while the record changing is being accomplished. The narrow track "b extends around the edge of the cam approximately 180. At this point the track divides to form two concentric tracks, one track adapted to return the arm to the proper position for being lowered on 10" records, and the other for 12" records.

While the cam is rotating with the pickup arm under control of the portion lllb of the cam track, a new record is being deposited on the table by a means hereinafter to be described, the depositing operation being completed by the time the pin I and arm 53 reaches the end of the narrow track portion lllb.

At this point, as previously stated, the cam track divides into two tracks 80c and lid which tracks are for 12" and 10" records respectively and open into the open zone 82. The pin 65 is guided into track 800 or 80d by a switch 83, the position of which is controlled by the position of the record supporting mechanism. That is, if 12'" records are being played, the switch is in the position shown in Fig. 10, where the follower pin passes into track "c. If 10" records were being played, the switch would take the dash line position where the follower would be guided into the track lld. This is the position shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive. The cam continuing its rotation and the follower arm and pin being guided by switch into the track "d, the pickup arm is thus moved back over the turntable. Just before the pin leaves the track 80d the pickup arm is lowered by the shaft 66, the raising head is traveling down the incline 16 of the cam, onto the outside edge of the record groove. Immediately after the pin 65 leaves the groove 800, the mutilated portion 39 of the gear 31 arrives opposite the gear 35 and, since there are no teeth to mesh, the cam member stops and the playing of the record is in progress. The head 60 in the low spot 65 holds the cam member a ainst further move ment.

As previously stated, the records are supported at their centers on the spindle 23 and their edges at one side of the turntable by a platform or table; This platform, as best shown in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive, comprises a hollow pedestal ll having a boss 86 engaging the upper side of the frame i and provided with a threaded end l'l which extends through a holein the frame and rotatably disposed in the sleeve 8!. Rotation of is Iecured in place on the frame by a hex nut ll. cam reciprocates'the slide on the platform A sleeve ll extends through the pedestal and The body of the slide It! is narrower crosshas secured to itsupper end lower'end end of the pedestal to a cam plate ll. plate (Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive) mounted on the sleeve as. adapted to be held in either by a spring member It the opening 10 or II. sitioning member- 04 is a flat plate OI. The

of the sleeve extends below the lower and has rigidly secured there- The cam is a flat circular and is ec centrically The cam plate is one of two positions which engages in either A cam track switch poslidably supported by rivets or screws 2| on the underside of the frame,

which rivets extend ber 24. engaging abutment l2. and cam by a helical spring I! through slots II in the mem The member It is provided with a cam is held gainst the having one end secured to the table or frame and the other attached to the memberjl. switch positioning member =cam member downwardly converge toward each rotation of the cam other switch 83,

member. placed in the path of travel of.

The free end of the extends above the 31 and is provided with a pair of extending spaced guides 98 which wise than the platform ll a guide for the tending flange I ll! extends around the remainder in the direction of I The guides are a pin 99 on the which pin extends upwardly from the body of the switch It. as best shown in Figs. 3,

4, and 10. When the cam member 31 is rotated the switch 88 proper position to select the lid for-the follower arm-pin is adapted to be moved into its correct track Decor 85. The pin 80 engages with one or the other of the guides 02 which swings and with to leave the switch in The guide of course is positioned with the cam position taken for 10" record The plate Oil supported on extends further to one side shown in Figs. so disposed that guides the same between the narrow opening as the pin leaves contact thereits proper position. by its contact plate, the drawings illustrating the top of the sleeve 2! than the other, as

2 and 12; When the cam 8| is the longer radius is toward the turntable, the plate has its short side toward the turntableand is thus adjusted for 12" tion the guides 92 will set the proper track to return the ing 12" records, In case 10' on the device, the long side 9 ward the turntableand the the support (as will later appear) records. In this posithe switch 83 to select pickup for playrecords are loaded 1 the platform is toshort radius of the cam is used to position the track setting member ll. Sincethe cam plate is held indexed by the spring member 22, the platform is thus held in its proper position. The

I manually so that the spring either one of the openings III which size of records that A record supporting and is supported on top oi the pl prises a slide I00 (Figs. 15

platform may be rotated member 93 engages or III, depending on,

are going to be played.

electing mechanism atform 90' and comand 1e) slidabl y disposed on top of the platform 80. The body of the slide is of rectangular pairs of arms at opposite extends laterally at Ill an formation and has ends, each of which d vertically at I02.

The outer edges oi the upwardly extending portion incline downwardly at I02,

the purpose being to prevent the slide arms from slipping off of the edge of the record. Along oi the slide and at one end opening I,

the center line is formed a square the edges normal to the longer axis having upstanding flanges llll, Figs. 12, 15, and

16. The flanges are with the edge of a cam I06 circular disc eccentrically ca disposed for engagement which comprises arried on a shaft llll I02 01' the slide being in a 0 when is rotated by means of ot the head connecting in the mid-section to the bosses III which extend below the flange adistance slightly greater than the thickness of the slide (see Fig. 2). The head is secured to the platform by screws III which extend through the bottom of the platform into threaded openings in saidbosses.

The spring member 93 includes a bracket I30 secured to the bottom of the frame'l and extending downwardly to provide a support is! disposed in spaced parallel relation to the frame I.- .The arm OI is securedto the support ill by rivets I22 and the end of the spring terminates in a U-shaped end 93' for engagement in the openings in the cam. An arm I33 integral with the support extends below the spring arm 93 and is provided with an adjusting screw I threaded therein and having the end in engagement with the spring whereby tension on the spring may be adjusted.

It will thus be seen that the head holds and T guides the slide on the platform while allowing the slide to be easily reciprocated by the cam It. The vertical arms 102 of the slide extend up beside the edges of the head and slightly above the upper surface thereof, the extension above the head being less than the thickness of a standard 10" record. The edge of the stack of records rests on the portion of the head which extends toward the turntable (Fig. 2), the arms position to engage the edge of the bottom-most record and still miss the record juxtaposed above.

The slide is moved by the cam I06 to engage the edge of the bottom record, which edge rests on the head and has the center resting on the seat 22 of the record spindle II, to slide the record oil of the seat against the portion 24a, whereupon the hole in the record is aligned with the head 22 and at which time the slide pushes the edge of the record oil. of the head and the record drops down around the record spindle II to the turntable.

All of this is accomplished during the time I the pickup arm is at one side of the tumtable, as described.

In bringing about this operation, the cam N6 the shaft III! which exl and pedestal 85. The has a lever Ill secured is connected by a link H5 to tends below the frame end of the shaft Illl thereto; this lever the main operating lever H6.

The lever H6 is pivotally connected at I II to the under side of the frame and extends under the frame I above the cam member 31 adja-' cent the cam axis (see Figs. 3 and 5). The cam member 31 has an upstanding pin 8 rigidly carried thereby which, when the cam member 31 is rotated, engages the side of the lever H8 near the end, slides along the'lever and rotates it about the pivot against the pressure of the spring IIO, which spring holds the lever toward the center or the cam member. The lever ll! being rotated and being connected by the link III to the shaft lever Ill, this rotation is transmitted to the shaft I01 and causes the record to be elected. Fig. 3 shows the position taken by the linkage prior to operation, and Fig. 5 shows the position taken when the linkageis at the peak of its travel. The cam member continues on its circular orbit and the lever II. is brought back to its starting position by the spring I I! which returns the slide back to position to engage the next record.

Means is provided for steadying the stack of records and holding them on the platform and comprises a hollow boss in on top of the head which pivotally carries a yoke i2! having an end I22 which rests on the uppermost record. The yoke extends through the boss and is provided with a crank portion In to which is secured the end of a spring I, the other end being connected to a cross pin lildisposed below the boss.

Means is provided for engaging the clutch which will cause the changer mechanism to start functioning without respect to the position of the tone arm or the record groove which is useful, not only to start the first record, but. also to reject certain records if desired.

This means comprises a stiff wire rod I25, Fig. 3, slidably supported by the frame I in lugs I20 and having one end extending through the frame and connected to a slidable button I21 and the other end below the frame adapted to contact the upstanding flange ii on the latch, Movement of the button is transmitted to the latch which is rotated causing the latch to be disengagedfrom the dog and starts the cam moving as previously described.

Summarizing the operation, a stack oi or 12" records is placed on the head and spindle. If 10" records are being played, the head is moved to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. If 12" records are being played, it is rotated 180. The stack of records rests at its center on the spindle head 22 and at its edge-on the head M8. The lever III is placed in contact with the upper edge of the stack where it is held in contact by the spring I24. the changer are disposed in a horizontal position. The driving motor is energized by the switch I30 which may be any type; the connections from the source of current to the motor ll are conventional and well known. Energization of the motor starts the turntable to turning. The slide I21 is then moved which causes the clutch to be released. The pickup arm is then raised and moved to one side of the turntable where it is held. The slide I00, the arms I" of which are in engagement with the edge of the lowermost record of the stack, then moves inwardly carrying with it the record which then drops to the turntable.

The pickup arm. then returns between the stack of unplayed records and the record on the turntable, the position of return being determined by the position of the head I08. It is then lowered into the record groove. The clutch at this point is reset and the cam mechanism stops. The record is then played. At the end of the playing the cam follower arm 53 engages the stop 5I-52 and starts the record changing cycle anew.

n will thus be seen that there has been pro- The records when stacked on vided a mechanism well adapted to carry out the objects of the invention. That the mechanism is simplified, economical in construction and extremely r ssed.

Although I have shown two control buttons, I21 and Ill, I contemplate including these functions in a single rotatable knob which when rotated in one direction rejects the records and in the other turns on the motor.

Having thus described the invention in an embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those versed in the art that many minor changes and deviations from the exact construction shown can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim: 7

i. In combination with a cam member and a pickup arm, said cam member having tracks for controlling the movement of the pickup arm, switch means carried by said cain member and movable between said tracks for selecting the proper track for the pickup arm, a record stack holder and ejector comprising a support for the edges of the record and adaptedto be moved to support records of diflerent size, a cam connected to said record stack holder and movable therewith, and an indexing slide held in operative position relative to said cam and carrying a pickup tone arm positioning track control switch guide, and said track switch being adapted to engage the guide on said slide to be positioned thereby for selection of the proper cam track for the tone arm.

2. An automatic record changer, a frame, a turntable rotatably supported by the frame, a pickup arm supported by the frame, cam :means rotatably carried by said frame and having cam tracks and surfaces thereon, said pickup arm being controlled in its movements by said cam and tracks, and switch means for selecting alternate tracks for controlling the movement of the pickup arm, record supporting and changing means comprising a pedestal for supporting astack of records, said pedestal being hollow and supported by said frame, a sleeve rotatably disposed in said pedestal and carrying a table at its upper end, and a track selector cam at its lower end, a track switch selector guide slidably suported by the frame and having spring means holding it in contact with said track selector cam, said switch selector guide having guide means disposed in the path of travel of the cam track switch and adapted to move the switch to the proper position for guiding the tone arm swing means into the proper cam track for positioning the tone arm at the outer terminus of a record groove; a shaft extending through said sleeve and having an ejector cam on its upper end disposed above said table, and a connecting linkage connecting to the end of the shaft below the frame, said linkage being operable by said oam means in timed relation to the movement of the tone arm to reciprocate the ejector cam, an ejector mechanism supported in said table and operated by said ejector cam to eject records from the bottom of the stack and allow them to fall on the turntable, said table being manually rotatable to a position for holding records of different size and when so rotated carrying with it the sleeve and track selector cam to cause said cam to move said switch selector guide to the proper position for indexing the tone arm.

3. An automatic record changer -including a frame, a turntable for supporting records, a

pickup for cooperative engagement with the sojundtrackon a record, means for rotating turntable'means supporting a plurality of records in ahorizontaiposition above the turntable comprising :a stationary spindle adapted to engage the records at their centers, and a support, and ejector mechanism disposed to one side of theturntable and supporting the edges of the records, means for moving the pickup arm and record changing mechanisms in properly timed relation toplay said records consecutively including a main cam member disposed below the turntable, and connected by a linkage to said support and ejector mechanism for operating the' 'same, said support and ejector mechanism comprising a post rigidly connected to the frame, a head for supporting said records, a sleeve having an end connected to said head and disposed having a pickup positioning in said post and cam at its other end, an ejector slide carried by the post and guided by the head and operable by said main cam and linkage to engage the edge of the bottom-most record and slide it off of the supporting formed with oppositely spaced record supporting surfaces adapted to be manually rotated to alternate fixed positions to support records of different size and cooperable upon rotation to alternate positions to index the cam mechanism for controlling the position of the pickup at the start of reproduction.

4. An automatic record changing and playing mechanism including a frame, a turntable rotatably carried by the frame, a reproducer including a pickup arm for reproducing sound from records on said turntable,' and supporting means for holding afreserve supply of records above said turntable including a stationary spindle extending through the turntable into said frame for holding the records at their centers, and recordholding and ejecting means for supporting and ejecting records disposed to one side of the turntable, with the turntable and operable to move the pickup arm away from and return it to the turntable, said laterally disposed record support including a hollow pedestal extending above the frame, a sleeve rotatably disposed in the pedestal and extending beyond the ends thereof, a platform carried by the upper end of the sleeve and a record size cam at the lower end for determin ing the return position of the pickup arm and means connecting said cam and pickup arm, a spring stop for engagement with said record size cam to hold said record size cam indexed in predetermined positions by said record supporting platform, a shaft extending through said sleeve and having a lever connected to its lower end and an eccentric cam on its upper end, a slide disposed on said platform and telescoped over said eccentric cam adapted to be reciprocated on said platform by said eccentric cam, a record supporting member fixed to said platform for holding and guiding said slide and having a, surface for supporting the edges of a stack of records, said slide having arms extending above said member adapted for engagement with the bottom-most record, and means connected to said lever and operable by the first cam to eject records in timed relation to the movement of the pickup arm.

5. An automatic record changer including a frame, a turntable for supporting records, a pickup for cooperative engagement with the sound track on a record, means for rotating the turntable, means supporting a plurality of rechead, the supporting head main cam means associated and a support and cooperable upon track ords in a stamens" the turntable comprising a stationary spindle adapted to engage the pickup arm and record changing mechanism in properly timed relation .to play said records consecutively including a main cam member disposed below the turntable, and connected bya linkage to said support and ejector mechanism for operating the same, said support and ejector mechanism comprising a, post rigidly carried by the frame, a head carried by the post for supporting said records, a sleeve or tubular memher having one end connected to said head and the other end extending into said post and having a pickup positioning cam thereon, an ejector slide carried by the post and guided by said head and means extending through said post forengagement with the slide and operable by said main cam and linkage to reciprocate the slide, saidslide adapted to engage the edge of the bot tommost record and slide it off of the supporting head, said supporting head being formed,

with oppositely spaced record supporting surfaces and adapted to be moved to alternate fixed positions to support records of difierent size and n being moved to said alternate positions to index the cam mechanismvfor controlling the position of the pickup at the start of reproduction.

6. An automatic record changer including a frame, a turntable for supporting records, a pickup forcooperative engagement with the sound on a record, means for rotating the turntable, means for supporting a plurality of records in a substantially horizontal position above the turntable comprising a stationary spindle adapted to eng e the records at their centers, and a support and ejector mechanism disposed to one side of the turntable for supporting the records at their edges, means and record changing mechanism in properly timed relation to play said records consecutively including a main cam member disposed in a plane below the turntable, and a linkage connecting positions for supporting records of different size and cooperable upon movements to move said sleeve to alternate positions to index the cam mechanism for controllin the position of the pickup at the start of reproduction.

7. An automatic record changer including a frame, a turntable for supporting records, a pickup for cooperative engagement with the sound track on a record on said turntable, means for rotating the turntable, means supporting a pluhorizontal position above the records at their centers,

ejector mechanism disposedtonne side of the turntable, means for 'moving for moving the pickup armby a linkage to said support to one side of the turntable for supporting the edges of the records, means for moving the pickup arm and record changing mechanism in preperly timed relation to play said records consecutively including a main cam member ed below and driven by the turntable, and connected guided by the head and operable by said main cam and linkage to engage the edge of the bottommost record and slide it off of the supports, said supporting head being formed with oppositely spaced record supporting surfaces adapted to be manually rotated to alternate fixed positions for supporting records of different size and cooperable upon rotation to alternate positions to index the cam mechanism for controlling the position of the pickup at the start of reproduction. a

8. An automatic record changing and playing mechanism including a frame, a turntable rotatably carried by the frame, a reproducer including a pickup arm for reproducing sound from records on said turntable, and supporting means for holding a reserve supply of records above said turntable including a stationary spindle substantially concentric with the turntable for supporting the records at their centers, and record holding and releasing means for supporting and releasing-records, disposed laterally to one side of the turntable, main cam means associated with the turntable and operable to move the pickup arm away from and return it to the turntable, said laterally disposed record support including a hollow pedestal extending above the frame, a sleeve rotatably disposed in the pedestal and exand ejector mechtending beyond the end thereof, a platform carried by the upper end of the sleeve and a record size cam at the lower end, for determining the proper return position of the pickup arm to playing position and means connecting said cam and pickup arm, a spring pressed stop for engagement with said cam to hold said record size cam indexed in predetermined positions by said record supporting platform, a shaft extending through said sleeve and having a lever connected to its lower end and a cam on its upper end, aslide disposed on said platform and in: engagement with said cam adapted to be reciprocated on said platform by said cam, a record supporting member fixed to said platform and providing a guide for said slide, said member being provided with a surface for supporting the edges of a stack 0! records, said slide being formed with arms ex-. tending above the supporting surface on said member adapted for engagement with the bottommost record, and means connected to said lever and operable by the first cam to eject records in timed relation to the movement of the pickup arm.

9. In combination with a cam member and a laterally movable pickup am, said cam member having separate tracks for controlling the lateral movement of the pickup arm, switch means carried by said cam member and movable between said tracks for selecting the desired track for the pickup arm, a record stack holder and elector comprisinga support for supportingrecords adjacent the edges, said support adapted to be moved, to adjust its position for supporting records of different size, a cam connected to said record stack holder and movable therewith, and an indexing member held in engagement with said cam and carrying a track switch guide, and said track switch being adapted to-enga'ge with the guide on said slide to be positioned thereby for selection of the proper cam track for the tone arm.

ARNOLD W. LELINE. 

